Hacks, cracks, and jacks.

Hacks are tools that allow you to take a straight copy/paste and edit some portion of the code so that a copy check always passes. (Breaking the lock)

Cracks are tools that allow you to use other programs to create codes or keys that will pass any verification check (think of a key-duplicating machine at a hardware store)

Jacks: straight up copies of stuff that doesn't even have a lock on it, or one that's so simple it can be bypassed just by pushing hard enough.

But, everything starts with a straight-up copy/paste of the original software.